Spring and Giant Kite Flying

April 21, 2014

Blogger: Daphne Auza

Hi everyone! In case, you missed my last blog post, I’m currently studying abroad in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. It is finally spring here, although according to Dutch locals this past winter was actually unusually warm. It’s been really nice to enjoy some sun while biking through the city. Unfortunately, I’m not sure how often I’ll be going outside this week because I’m actually feeling pretty sick… but for reasons that make it totally worth it.

This past weekend, the program I’m studying with (CIEE) tookof us on a weekend excursion to the Dutch island of Schiermonnikoog. I guess this congestion/sore throat is the product of running around in strong winds, biking in the cold, and living in close quarters with around 30 other people. Schiermonnikoog is home to plenty of wildlife, including the thousands of birds that use the island as a migratory stopover point and a national park. Whenever our group gathered for meals, there was always a flock of geese resting about a hundred feet away from us. We stayed in a farmhouse hostel where we even had to do our own chores, which worked out for the most part haha.

The most memorable part of the trip for me was extreme kite flying, and that is in no way an exaggeration. These kites, even the first-level ones (oh right, forgot to mention that there are, like, five levels to kite flying in Schiermonnikoog) were huge. They basically looked like mini parachutes. By the second-level kite, the strong winds on the beach were starting to drag me away, but my friends and I decided to be adventurous and try out the fourth level kite, which requires three people to hold it down. Needless to say I was lifted straight off the ground and it was terrifying, but I don’t regret it at all. I like to think that I’m studying abroad for these kinds of experiences outside my comfort zone.

At the end of the weekend, I was exhausted, happy, and found myself where I am now: sitting in bed with a fever and stuffy nose. Anyways, I can’t quite remember when decision making time is for all you high school seniors out there, but I wish you the best of luck on choosing a school that’s the best fit for you!